The University of Manchester is to axe more than 60 jobs in a shake up of its IT services.

University chiefs announced 68 redundancies as part of a mover towards a “new IT delivery model.”

The restructure will see some of its IT services out-sourced to external suppliers.

University bosses hope to cut the posts via voluntary redundancies.

However, compulsory cuts will be made if staff fail to take up the voluntary offer.

Union members said they were “dismayed” by the rapid development.

In a post on the University and Colleges Union Manchester website, union bosses said: “We are saddened to have to report that further redundancies have been announced in IT Services and that the way in which these announcements have been made only underlines our concerns.”

Staff affected by the changes were informed by the university on Wednesday.

Union members are understood to be holding talks next week to discuss further action.

A University of Manchester spokesman said: “In order to support significant investments to deliver an IT service that can meet the future needs of the organisation, the University is moving towards a new IT delivery model that will see it working more in partnership with external suppliers; as such, the University is seeking to make reductions to a number of roles within its existing IT Services Division through a voluntary severance scheme.

“In total, the University is seeking a reduction of 68 members of staff in those areas identified and is consulting with the campus Trade Unions on the details of the severance scheme.

“If the University is unable to achieve the target reductions through voluntary means then compulsory redundancies will be required.

“The University is committed to ensuring that this process is conducted fairly and transparently and will seek to explore opportunities for the avoidance of redundancy where possible, including redeployment and retraining of its staff.”